The correct methods for watering and fertilizing potted four-season osmanthus
The four-season osmanthus is a type of osmanthus tree. Because it can bloom all year round, it is called the four-season osmanthus. Generally speaking, growing the four-season osmanthus is not very difficult, but if you want the four-season osmanthus to grow very luxuriantly, you need to give it proper care and a reasonable growing environment according to its growth habits. The following text will give you the answers on how to do this specifically.
How to water a potted four-season osmanthus
1. In summer, when the light is strong and the temperature is high, the four-season osmanthus should be shaded appropriately. As for watering, it should be watered a little more appropriately, and the leaves should be sprayed more to lower the temperature and prevent the leaves of the four-season osmanthus from being scorched.
2. In autumn, when the temperature begins to drop, the amount of watering for the four-season osmanthus should be reduced. Too much watering often causes the four-season osmanthus to drop its buds and affects flowering.
3. In winter, when the temperature is very low, the four-season osmanthus transpires water and nutrients slowly, so attention should be paid to controlling moisture. Water only when the potting soil is dry, and water thoroughly each time to avoid half watering. The watering time should also be noted; it is best to choose noon when the temperature is higher. When watering, the water temperature should be close to the air temperature, which can prevent the four-season osmanthus from suffering cold damage.
4. Before and after the four-season osmanthus blooms, watering is also very important. During this period, the four-season osmanthus needs to keep the soil and air moist, and more water can be sprayed to increase air humidity.
How to fertilize a bonsai four-season osmanthus
1. Fertilization time
The four-season osmanthus likes heavy fertilizer. After early spring each year, generally when the nighttime temperature can reach 15°C, it can be fertilized. At this time, it is the earliest stage of growth for the four-season osmanthus and requires a large amount of nutrient supplementation. Between April and May, it can be fertilized once every half month. Between June and July, it needs to be fertilized at least once every seven to ten days. By the beginning of August, this is the last time to fertilize the four-season osmanthus. This can promote the growth of the four-season osmanthus and also make its flowers more numerous and fragrant. You can choose decomposed fertilizers such as the droppings of chickens, ducks and pigeons, as well as bone meal. If too little fertilizer is applied, it will affect the growth of the four-season osmanthus, not only reducing its branches and leaves, but also reducing flowering, and the fragrance will also become weaker. If compound fertilizer is applied, you can make several evenly distributed small holes around the potting soil of the potted four-season osmanthus, then put the compound fertilizer into the small holes and cover them with soil. Generally, it needs to be fertilized once every ten to fifteen days, until the nighttime temperature drops below 8°C, at which point there is no need to continue fertilizing.
2. Fertilization methods
The four-season osmanthus likes slightly acidic soil rich in humus. At the same time, the soil must have good drainage. The nutrient soil for cultivating the four-season osmanthus can be made by mixing humus soil, sandy soil and livestock manure evenly. During the growth period of the four-season osmanthus, a ferrous sulfate solution should be sprayed once every half month. This can promote the branches and leaves of the four-season osmanthus to grow more dark green. In the early stage of flowering of the four-season osmanthus, more fertilizer water containing a diluted nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium solution should be applied. This can make the flowers of the four-season osmanthus larger and the fragrance stronger.
3. Precautions for fertilizing the four-season osmanthus
Although the four-season osmanthus likes heavy fertilizer, organic fertilizer with a large amount of decomposed material or inorganic fertilizer with a particularly high concentration cannot be applied too much at one time. It can be applied in small amounts many times.
How to transplant the four-season osmanthus
1. Transplanting time for the four-season osmanthus
The four-season osmanthus is generally transplanted in spring or autumn, but spring is still the best time for transplanting. If transplanting in autumn, it can be done when the temperature gradually drops and in places with relatively abundant water sources, generally after October.
When transplanting the four-season osmanthus, you should choose branches that are growing well, robust and free of pests and diseases, preferably ones that have not yet sent out new shoots. If large flowering seedlings are to be transplanted, water thoroughly one week in advance so that the root system absorbs enough water, making it easier to remove from the pot.
2. Transplanting methods for the four-season osmanthus
The four-season osmanthus can be lifted as seedlings on cloudy days or in the morning and evening. Use tools such as a shovel to lift the seedlings. When lifting the seedlings, keep a soil ball, and it is best to dig the soil ball larger. When lifting the seedlings, be careful not to damage the roots. The soil ball can be tied tightly with straw rope.
Before transplanting, a suitable hole needs to be dug, then the four-season osmanthus with its soil ball is placed into the hole and soil is filled in. Because the four-season osmanthus is not tolerant of waterlogging, when filling in soil, the planting depth should be a little higher than the original. After all the soil is filled in, water thoroughly. If the four-season osmanthus plant is relatively large, appropriate pruning can be carried out to improve the survival rate.
3. Management after transplanting the four-season osmanthus
After transplanting the four-season osmanthus, the key aspect of management is water. After the first thorough watering, it can be watered thoroughly again after 3——4 days. Large transplanted saplings can be supported to prevent lodging. In autumn, straw can be used for covering to prevent bark splitting. During transplanting, if the weather is dry, water can be sprayed.
Growth habits of the four-season osmanthus
The four-season osmanthus originated in the Mediterranean region, and has been introduced and cultivated in provinces such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Sichuan and Yunnan in our country.
The four-season osmanthus likes a warm and humid climate and has a certain cold resistance, but it is not tolerant of severe cold. It likes light and is also shade tolerant, and during the seedling stage it needs a certain degree of shading. It does not have high requirements for soil, and likes slightly acidic soil in high, dry terrain rich in humus. Deep, fertile, moist and well-drained sandy soil is especially most suitable. It is not tolerant of arid and poor soil, and avoids saline-alkali soil and waterlogged land. Planting it in overly wet land with poor drainage will cause poor growth, root rot and leaf drop, ultimately leading to the death of the whole plant.
The water requirement of the four-season osmanthus changes according to seasonal changes, so growers need to have a keen perception of the environment. Secondly, the four-season osmanthus is a plant that likes fertilizer, so when cultivating the four-season osmanthus, be sure to give it sufficient fertilizer and nutrients. Only in this way can the four-season osmanthus grow smoothly.